Grede Holdings LLC is producing a series of safety-critical chassis components for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, according a contract announced recently. The new version of the midsized SUV has been on sale for several weeks, with production having begun earlier this summer at Chrysler Group LLC’s Jefferson Avenue plant in Detroit.

The 2011 Grand Cherokee has a steel “uniframe” chassis that Chrysler claims has the strength and durability of a body-on-frame construction into a unitized construction.

The ferrous parts that Grede is supplying are cast at its St. Cloud, MN, foundry, then painted, and delivered to a Tier One supplier for machining and assembly.

“We’re proud that Grede was selected for this important application based on our experience in producing high quality, safety-critical suspension components,” stated Grede vice President of sales Tony Lovell.

Grede Holdings was formed this year in a merger of the former Grede Foundries Inc. with Citation Corp.